A ryokan(旅館) is a traditional Japanese inn that offers far more than just a bed for the night. Staying in a ryokan is one of Japan's most transformative cultural experiences: soaking in natural hot spring water, sleeping on a futon on tatami mats, wearing a cotton yukata robe to a multi-course kaiseki dinner prepared with seasonal local ingredients. It is Japan's oldest form of hospitality — and one of its most remarkable.
This guide covers everything you need: the 8 types of ryokan, the best regions to stay, onsen and ryokan etiquette, what to expect, costs at every budget level, and the best times to book.
8 Types of Ryokan in Japan
Not all ryokan are the same. Here's how to find the right style for your trip.
Onsen Ryokan (温泉旅館)
The quintessential ryokan experience — hot spring baths fed by natural geothermal water. Typically located in mountain valleys or coastal areas near volcanic activity.
Luxury Ryokan (高級旅館)
Five-star traditional hospitality with private onsen in your room, Michelin-level kaiseki cuisine, and personal attendants (nakai). Prices reflect the exceptional experience.
Minshuku (民宿)
Family-run guesthouses offering a budget-friendly taste of ryokan culture. Often run by the owners who cook breakfast and dinner — a more personal, less formal experience.
Shukubo (宿坊)
Temple lodgings where travelers sleep in actual Buddhist temples. Wake up with monks for morning prayers, eat shojin ryori (vegan temple cuisine), and experience profound tranquility.
Seaside Ryokan (海辺の旅館)
Coastal ryokan with ocean views and fresh seafood feasts. Dinner typically features a stunning spread of local fish, crab, lobster, and shellfish caught that morning.
Urban Ryokan (都市旅館)
Modern ryokan within major cities combining traditional aesthetics with city convenience. Ideal for travelers who want the ryokan experience without leaving Tokyo or Kyoto.
Snow Country Ryokan (雪国旅館)
Dramatic winter ryokan where snow-capped landscapes surround outdoor rotenburo baths. The contrast of hot spring steam against falling snow is a uniquely Japanese winter memory.
Farm / Nature Ryokan (農家民宿)
Ryokan set in working farms or deep forest, connecting travelers to Japan's agricultural heritage. Activities like rice planting, harvest festivals, and hiking replace the city rush.
Best Ryokan Regions in Japan
Six destinations where the ryokan experience is at its finest:
Hakone
Kanagawa
Japan's most famous ryokan destination — volcanic mountain valley with unparalleled onsen. Many ryokan offer private Mt. Fuji views from the outdoor bath.
Kinosaki Onsen
Hyogo
A perfectly preserved onsen town where you're given a yukata and geta sandals to stroll between 7 public bathhouses. The most photogenic "ryokan town" in Japan.
Arima Onsen
Hyogo
Japan's oldest onsen resort with 1,650 years of history. Two distinct spring types: clear "silver" (tansan) and rust-colored "gold" (kinsen) high-iron waters.
Beppu
Oita (Kyushu)
Japan's onsen capital by volume — over 2,000 hot springs. The "Hells of Beppu" (jigoku meguri) are colorful volcanic pools too hot to bathe in but spectacular to see.
Nikko & Kinugawa
Tochigi
Combined UNESCO World Heritage shrine visit with overnight ryokan stay. Kinugawa Onsen sits in a dramatic gorge — the riverside rotenburo is unforgettable.
Kyoto Higashiyama
Kyoto
Stay the night in Gion district and experience Kyoto after the day-trippers leave. High-end ryokan in machiya (townhouse) style with private garden baths.
Ryokan & Onsen Etiquette
Follow these 6 rules to ensure a respectful and authentic ryokan experience:
Remove shoes at the entrance (genkan)
✓ Do
Take off shoes at the genkan (entrance foyer) and step up into slippers provided. Place your shoes neatly to the side. Wear slippers inside all common areas — but remove slippers before stepping onto tatami mats.
✗ Don't
Never wear outdoor shoes past the genkan. Never wear slippers onto tatami rooms — tatami mats are walked on in socked or bare feet only.
Onsen bath etiquette
✓ Do
Shower thoroughly and rinse off all soap before entering the communal bath. Tie up long hair. Enter quietly and soak peacefully. Bring a small towel to cover yourself while walking — place it on your head or fold it on the side while bathing.
✗ Don't
No swimwear in traditional communal onsen (bathing is au naturel). Don't submerge your towel in the water. Avoid onsen if you have tattoos — many traditional ryokan prohibit them (call ahead). Don't run, shout, or make loud calls.
Wear your yukata correctly
✓ Do
Wear the yukata (cotton robe) left side over right side — this is the correct way. Tie the obi sash at the waist. Yukata is appropriate for strolling the grounds, going to the onsen, and dinner in the dining room.
✗ Don't
Right over left is how the deceased are dressed for burial — avoid this reversal. Don't wear yukata outside the ryokan grounds (unless it's a town like Kinosaki where this is the local custom).
Kaiseki dinner timing and conduct
✓ Do
Confirm dinner time at check-in (usually 6 PM or 7 PM). Change into yukata before dinner — it is expected and appropriate. Say "itadakimasu" before eating. Let the nakai (attendant) serve you at their pace; the courses will arrive in order.
✗ Don't
Don't rush courses or ask for items out of order. Don't use your smartphone at the dinner table. Tipping is not customary in Japan — the service is already included.
Futon and tatami room
✓ Do
The nakai will lay out your futon (floor mattress) while you're at dinner. Sleep on the futon flat — it's designed for floor sleeping and is more comfortable than it looks. Fold and stack the futon against the wall in the morning if you'll be staying a second night.
✗ Don't
Never move the low tables (chabudai) out of the room or rearrange tatami mats — these are precisely placed. Don't put luggage on tatami mats; use the raised wooden area or luggage rack.
Communicating with staff
✓ Do
A simple "arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much) goes a long way. If you have dietary restrictions, inform the ryokan at least 48 hours before arrival. Ring the bell for service if needed — ryokan staff are attentive but not hovering.
✗ Don't
Don't tip in cash — it can cause embarrassment in Japan. If you wish to express exceptional gratitude, a small gift (omiyage) from your home country is warmly received.
Ryokan Costs at Every Budget
All prices are per person per night and typically include 2 meals (dinner + breakfast):
| Tier | Per Night | What's Included | Onsen | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (Minshuku / Hostels) | ¥5,000–¥12,000 | Room + 2 meals (breakfast & dinner) | Shared communal bath or none | Rural minshuku, town guesthouses |
| Mid-Range Ryokan | ¥15,000–¥35,000 | Room + full kaiseki dinner + Japanese breakfast | Communal onsen (indoor & outdoor) | Most popular Hakone and Kinosaki ryokan |
| Premium Ryokan | ¥35,000–¥80,000 | Premium kaiseki + sake pairings + full-service nakai | Private rotenburo or semi-private baths | Top-rated Hakone and Kyoto Gion ryokan |
| Ultra-Luxury Ryokan | ¥80,000–¥200,000+ | Michelin-level kaiseki, personalized itinerary, premium sake and wagyu | Private in-room rotenburo with garden view | Asaba (Shuzenji), Gora Kadan (Hakone), Tawaraya (Kyoto) |
Book Ryokan Experiences
Day onsen visits, tea ceremony + ryokan combo packages, and cultural experiences:
Ryokan FAQ
What is the difference between a ryokan and a regular hotel in Japan?
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn with tatami-mat rooms, futon bedding on the floor, natural hot spring baths (onsen), and a multi-course kaiseki dinner and Japanese breakfast included in the price. Regular hotels have Western-style beds and do not include meals or onsen. Ryokan offer a living cultural experience, not just accommodation.
Can I stay in a ryokan if I have tattoos?
Many traditional ryokan prohibit tattoos in communal onsen due to historic associations with organized crime. However, this policy is changing. Options include: booking ryokan with private in-room baths (kashi-kiri onsen), using private family baths, or choosing ryokan with explicit tattoo-friendly policies. Always check before booking.
How do I book a ryokan in Japan?
Top booking platforms include Relux, Jalan, and Rakuten Travel (Japanese-language). For English speakers, Expedia, Agoda, and Booking.com list many ryokan. Luxury properties often have their own websites and may offer direct booking perks. Book 2–3 months in advance for peak seasons (cherry blossom March–April, autumn leaves November, Golden Week late April–early May).
What is included in a ryokan stay?
Most ryokan include: tatami room with futon, yukata (cotton kimono) and towels, shared or private onsen access, multi-course kaiseki dinner, and traditional Japanese breakfast. Some include welcome wagashi sweets and green tea. Alcohol, premium sake pairings, and treatments (massages) are typically extra.
How early should I book a ryokan?
For popular destinations like Hakone and Kinosaki, book 2–3 months ahead for regular seasons and 4–6 months ahead for cherry blossom season (late March–April), autumn leaves (November), and Golden Week (late April–early May). Weekend bookings fill faster than weekdays.
Can vegetarians and vegans stay at a ryokan?
Yes, but you MUST inform the ryokan at booking or at least 48–72 hours in advance. Most ryokan can accommodate vegetarian requests. True vegan (no fish stock, no eggs) is harder — shukubo (temple lodgings) serve shojin ryori, which is naturally plant-based. Gluten-free requests are more difficult but possible at high-end properties.
Find Your Ryokan
Compare ryokan across Japan's top onsen destinations. Hakone fills fastest — book early for peak seasons.
Hakone Ryokan
Kyoto Ryokan
Beppu Ryokan